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Appearance

Elrond is described to seem ageless, resembling neither old nor young, however one could see in his face the memories and experiences of thousands of years. He looked venerable both like an old king, a wise wizard, and an experienced warrior in his prime.

As common with other Elves, he was dark-haired, while his eyes were grey shining like starlight. He could be seen wearing a circlet of silver.[6][7]

When the Sons of Fëanor attacked the Havens of Sirion, Elwing was taken by Ulmo. The twins were carried off, but later found near a waterfall and they were named as such; Elrond was discovered in a cave. Taken captive by Maglor, they were subsequently raised by him. Following the War of Wrath, because of his Half-elven heritage the Valar gave Elrond and his brother a choice whether to be counted among the kindred of Elves or of Men. Elrond chose to belong to the Firstborn, while Elros chose to become mortal. Elrond subsequently remained in Lindon with Gil-galad, where he became known as a healer and loremaster.

Many more refugees joined Elrond's host as Sauron ravaged Eriador during the course of the war. By S.A.1700, Imladris, despite being besieged, was the only part of Eriador not under Sauron's control. It was was liberated by Gil-galad's and Tar-Minastir's forces. After Sauron's defeat, a Council was held at that time, establishing Elrond as Gil-galad's vice-regent in Eriador and that Imladris should be maintained as an Elvish stronghold.[9]

Elrond marched with Gil-galad and Elendil during the War of the Last Alliance, serving as Gil-galad’s herald. He was present during the last battle of that war, witnessing the deaths of Gil-galad and Elendil. At the conclusion of that battle, when Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand he and Círdan advised Isildur to destroy the Ring, but Isildur refused their counsel. Elrond subsequently returned to Rivendell, which prospered the coming years with the aid of the Ring of Air, Vilya, that Elrond had received from Gil-galad. It has been argued that following Gil-galad’s death, Elrond had the right to become High King of the Noldor, but he never claimed the title. Indeed, after the Second Age ended, there were very few Noldor left in Middle-earth for there to be a king over them.

Third Age

Following Isildur's death, Elrond received the shards of Narsil, which he preserved for many years. He began his long tradition of fostering the heirs of Isildur by helping to raise Isildur's son Valandil, who had been left in Rivendell during the War of the Last Alliance.

Centuries later, when the Northern Kingdom fell, Elrond took the other heirlooms of Arnor (the Sceptre of Annúminas and the Ring of Barahir) into his keeping, holding them for the one who would eventually be able to reclaim the throne of Arnor.

Elrond would be separated by his wife when taken by Orcs; their sons rescued her but Elrond was unable to heal her. She had to leave for the West in 2510.

In T.A.2851 the White Council met to decide on whether to act on Gandalf's discovery of the identity of the Necromancer as Sauron, but Saruman dissuaded the others.

In T.A.2933, Elrond took Aragorn as his foster-son in Rivendell, naming him Estel ("Hope") and concealing his heritage from him until he came of age. When Aragorn became an adult, Elrond gave him the Ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil, foreseeing that Aragorn might be the one to claim the thrones of Gondor and Arnor. When Aragorn fell in love with Arwen, Elrond revealed to him that Arwen shared the choice of the Half-elven, and that one or the other of them would ultimately be parted from her forever. Elrond insisted that Arwen could not marry Aragorn until he became king of both Gondor and Arnor.

During the Quest of Erebor Elrond welcomed Thorin and Company into his home, the Last Homely House before the wild, in Rivendell. On midsummer eve - the night before the Dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf continued on their journey eastward - Elrond examined the the swords which they had found in the trolls' cave. He read the runes and revealed that Thorin's sword was called Orcrist, the "Goblin-cleaver", and that Gandalf sword was named Glamdring, the "Foe-hammer". He told them that they were Elven swords from the ancient city of Gondolin, long ago destroyed. He then looked at Thrór's Map and found that there were moon-letters. From the moon of that midsummer eve he could read the words, 'five feet high the door and three may walk abreast'; and 'stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole'. This information proved vital for Bilbo and the Dwarves to enter the Lonely Mountain through its secret entrance.[5]

During that same year, T.A.2941, the White Council assailed Dol Guldur and rid Mirkwood of the Necromancer's presence. Elrond, like Gandalf, was a member of the White Council and must have been involved in the prior discussions and planning for this attack.[11] Upon Bilbo and Gandalf's return to Rivendell, Elrond and the grey wizard discussed this and the events of the Lonely Mountain. They both agreed that it would be better if the Necromancer were banished from the world altogether.[12]

The White Council last met in T.A.2953, when Gandalf expressed his concerns that the One Ring was Bilbo's ring found in the Goblin-town. Saruman quieted him, insisting that the Ring has been swept out to sea.

The War of the Ring

When Frodo first left the Shire with the One Ring, it was always his intention to go to Rivendell to seek the advice of Elrond. Indeed, in his letter left at Bree, Gandalf counselled him to do so. Elrond healed Frodo of his wound sustained at Weathertop. Elrond then hosted the feast that was held when Frodo recovered.

Elrond presided at the Council of Elrond. During that meeting, he narrated what he knew of the history of Isildur and the Ring. He identified Aragorn as the Heir of Isildur, and when Frodo ultimately volunteered to carry the Ring, Elrond affirmed that decision as correct. Elrond also appeared to have selected the members of the Fellowship other than Frodo and Sam, accepting Merry and Pippin only reluctantly.

Later, Elrond sent his sons Elladan and Elrohir to join the Dúnedain Rangers who rode to Rohan to join Aragorn. Through Elrohir, Elrond advised Aragorn to take the Paths of the Dead. During the Last Debate, Elrohir supported Aragorn’s decision to attack Mordor as a diversion to allow Frodo time to reach Mount Doom, saying that this was Elrond’s advice. Following the War of the Ring, Elrond escorted Arwen to Minas Tirith for her marriage to Aragorn, and parted from her in great sorrow.

Elrond was one of the Elves who took the White Ship to Valinor along with Frodo and the other Ringbearers. The Third Age's end is marked by Elrond’s departure.

Inspiration

In the chapter A Short Rest of The Hobbit, it is said of Elrond that he “was an elf-friend — one of those people whose fathers came into the strange stories before the beginning of History, the wars of the evil goblins and the elves and the first men in the North. In those days of our tale there were still some people who had both elves and heroes of the North for ancestors, and Elrond the master of the house was their chief. He was as noble and as fair in face as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves, and as kind as summer.” Note that in this description he is not identified as an elf himself, as Tolkien had not at this stage decided that Elrond of Rivendell was the same person as Elrond the son of Eärendil.

Etymology

The name Elrond (S, pron. [ˈelrond]) has been translated as "Star-dome",[13] and "Vault of Heaven"[14] recalling the glory of Menegroth though at an earlier stage, it was supposed to mean "Elf of the Cave". His Quenya name was most likely Elerondo[15], isolated from the patronymic Elerondiel, "daughter of Elrond".[16]

Films

Elrond appears in Rivendell, crowned with a ring of stars. He feeds the Dwarves, and identifies Orcrist and Glamdring. He needs little time to identify the latter.He is shown with a beard, although Tolkien clearly states elves do not have beards. His voice was provided by Cyril Ritchard.

Elrond appears roughly the same as in the first of Rankin/Bass' films. The premise of the film, a minstrel of Gondor who tells the tale of "Frodo of the Nine Fingers, and the Ring of Doom" at the birthday of Bilbo, allows Elrond to be a member of the audience. Because Ritchard had passed away, Rankin/Bass regular Paul Frees took over.

As in the book, Elrond heals Frodo's wound from Weathertop. Elrond then has a conversation with Gandalf, discussing the many challenges that face them. Elrond argues that the Ring cannot remain in Rivendell (in the film, Frodo appears to have thought that he would be able to leave the Ring there). He also expresses his doubts about the race of Men, and gives the first hints about Aragorn's real identity. In the Council of Elrond, Elrond himself is the one who argues that the only option is to destroy the Ring. He does not select the Fellowship, but accepts those who volunteer.

Elrond gains two additional scenes in the Extended Edition of the movie. In the first, he talks with Aragorn beside the grave of Aragorn’s mother. Elrond encourages the reluctant Aragorn to accept his fate of becoming king. In the next scene, Elrond blesses the departing Fellowship.

Though he had no scenes in the book, Elrond appears mainly in conversations with Arwen, whose role is also greatly expanded. In a flashback, Aragorn remembers Elrond telling him to abandon his love for Arwen, allowing her to sail to Valinor. Aragorn attempts to do this, but Arwen denies him. In another scene, Elrond persuades Arwen that she should sail to Valinor, describing what will happen if she remains and Aragorn dies. Elrond then has a telepathic communication with Galadriel discussing the war that is about to start. He apparently suggests that she send an army to Helm's Deep to aid the Men there, since when Haldir arrives at Helm's Deep he says that he brings "word from Elrond of Rivendell".

In the final installemnt of Jackson's film series, Elrond's first scene is with Arwen, who has decided not to sail after all, but to return. Although he senses that she is dying, Elrond acknowledges her choice. At her suggestion, he has the shards of Narsil re-forged, then carries the new sword to Aragorn at Dunharrow. He finally convinces Aragorn to accept his destiny, and advises him to take the Paths of the Dead. Later, Elrond escorts Arwen to Minas Tirith for her wedding, and he finally sails to Valinor with the Ringbearers.

Hugh Dickson provided the voice of Elrond in this radio series. He appears only in the episode containing the Council of Elrond, and appears unintroduced. Dickson showcases great trouble with pronouncing Elvish, and especially diphtongs. Gimli is the son of "Gloo-in", who fought the dragon "Sma-oog". Legolas is the son of "Thrandoo-uhl".

In a short cutscene between the levels "Roast Mutton" and "Over Hill and Under Hill", Elrond is briefly mentioned. An artful image on a manuscript can be seen, while the narrator explains Elrond examined the map and the swords.

In an alternative, northern War of the Ring, Rivendell is the main base of operations for Glóin and Glorfindel. As such, Elrond is the source of missions and advice, and serves as the narrator throughout the game (Hugo Weaving reprises the role). Elrond is a playable character during the assault on Dol Guldur.

Elrond is a non-playable character and came be found in the library of the Last Homely House in Rivendell. During the Elven Prologue set hundreds of years before the War of the Ring he participates in a battle in the refuge of Edhellion, in northern Ered Luin. Elrond is heavily involved in the game original storyline and the characters are frequently bidden to return to him after uncovering troubling sings of the Enemy of achieving notable victories.